He reached down to catch her mouth as he thrust faster and faster, driving them both to a shattering climax.
Wrapped in each other’s arms, sated and spent, his hand drifted slowly over her back. After a long while, Hailey asked softly, “Did you mean what you said, or was it just the heat of the moment?”
Goldie paused. He felt so many emotions for her: passion, love, adoration, joy, comfort. “I meant it. I love you.” He never thought he’d utter those words to a woman.
“I love you too. I feel like I have for a long time, but now it’s a grown-up love.”
Kissing her temple, he pulled her closer until there was no space between them.Everything makes sense now. Fuck. It’s so easy and simple.He’d tell his grandma about it the following day before he headed back to the rally. He knew she’d be happy. All she ever wanted for him was to find a wonderful woman to love and for her to love him.
Mission accomplished, Grandma.
***
Thunderous pounding wokeGoldie and he immediately looked over at Hailey. She was sitting up in bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “I think I forgot that I made an appointment today,” she said as she threw her robe on.
“On a Sunday?” Goldie pushed up.
“I’m doing that just for the summer, but not every Sunday. You stay here, I’ll be right back.” She gave him a peck on the mouth and rushed out of the room.
Goldie glanced at the clock: eight thirty.Too fuckin’ early for a Sunday.He scrubbed his face with his fist and went to the window. Behind his Harley was a dark blue sedan. He yanked his jeans on and padded out of the room. As he descended the stairway, he heard voices in the living room.
When he entered the room, he saw Hailey sitting rigidly, her smile tight and her eyes pleading with him. He had no idea what they were pleading for until the man sitting with his back to Goldie turned around.Ryan. Fuck!
Ryan leapt up, his eyes darting from Hailey to Goldie. He scanned over Goldie’s bare chest and feet, then Hailey’s short robe, realization spreading across his face. “You bastard! You’re screwing my sister?”
“Ryan, it’s not what it seems,” Goldie said as he took a couple of steps toward Ryan.
“There are a ton of women to fuck and you chose Hailey? You asshole!” Ryan swung and belted Goldie in the jaw.
“Ryan! Stop!” Hailey cried.
Goldie stepped back. When Ryan came for another punch, Goldie caught his fist. “I deserved the first one.” Ryan slammed his other fist into Goldie’s side. “Fuckin’ stop, bro, or we’re gonna do shit to each other we’ll regret.”
“I’m not going to regret anything. I’m going to beat your ass for touching Hailey.” Ryan went for another punch, but that time Goldie blocked it.
Hailey ran over and tried to pull her brother away. “Ryan, stop it. Please. Stop. Goldie didn’t do anything I didn’t want.”
Ryan stopped and turned to her. “You don’t know what you want. He took advantage of you. I’m not blaming you. He should’ve known better.”
“I’m not a child anymore. I hate when you treat me like one. How do you know what I want? You’ve been away for the last four years. Give me some credit for making my own decisions.”
“I warned you to stay away from him. He fucks anyone with boobs. Do you really think you’re special to him? There are women at the clubhouse who are only there to service the men. Isthatthe type of guy you want? Is that how Mom and Dad raised you? What do you think they’d say?”
“That they’re happy for me. I told them when I went home for a visit last week. They were cool with it. You’re overreacting.”
Goldie came over to Hailey and grasped her hand. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I fought it for a while, and so did Hailey, but what we have is too strong. I’ll treat Hailey right. I love her.”
“Love?” Ryan laughed dryly. “You don’t even know what that means. Iknowyou. Don’t forget that.”
“I love him too,” Hailey said.
A strained silence stretched between the three of them. Ryan went to the door. “You’re still my sister, and I love you, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to accept this. And you,” he said, pointing at Goldie, “are dead to me.” Then he marched out of the house, slamming the door behind him.
Goldie and Hailey stared at the closed door, and then he pulled her to him and kissed her. “Fuck, I’m sorry I messed up your relationship with Ryan.”
“Don’t take the blame for this, and don’t run away from me.” Tears rolled down her sun-kissed cheeks.
Wiping the wet streaks with his thumb, he shook his head. “I’d never run away from you. I’m sorry I didn’t keep my ass upstairs, but it was a matter of time before something like this happened. I should’ve told him. This will be hard for you, but I’m staying for the long haul. I’ve never told a woman I loved her.”
